UPF 'stakeholders' gather at New Hope

A focused economic partnership that includes like-minded local, regional, state and federal leaders was spotlighted at Y-12's New Hope Center this week, as discussions continue to be held on the far-reaching opportunities associated with the Uranium Processing Facility project in Oak Ridge.

A focused economic partnership that includes like-minded local, regional, state and federal leaders was spotlighted at Y-12's New Hope Center this week, as discussions continue to be held on the far-reaching opportunities associated with the Uranium Processing Facility project in Oak Ridge.

An integral part of the Y-12 National Security Complex's transformation efforts as well as a key component of the National Nuclear Security Administration's "Uranium Center of Excellence," the UPF — with a possible price tag of $6.5 billion — is one of two facilities at Y-12 whose joint mission will be to accomplish the storage and processing of all enriched uranium in one much smaller, centralized area.

"This partnership could serve the region and eventually serve the nation," John Eschenberg, federal project director of the Uranium Processing Facility, stated during Monday's meeting.

Fellow guest speakers joining Eschenberg at the Oak Ridge forum were Bill Hagerty, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and John Bradley, senior vice president of TVA Economic Development.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of the Third Congressional District also attended the event, as well as mayors and other city and county leaders from across the region.

"You competed against a company out west and the Department of Energy chose Oak Ridge," Congressman Fleischmann told attendees.

"Nowhere in the country does what Oak Ridge does."

Eschenberg referenced the atrophy of industrial and nuclear industries over the past 40 years, but stated that with the Y-12 Uranium Processing Facility, "We can take a once-in-a-lifetime investment and turn it into a gift that keeps on giving."

With that, he used a local business — Tennessee Tool & Engineering — as an example of a company that started small in Oak Ridge contracting with the Department of Energy.

"Today," he said, "they are the primary part producers for Toyota."

The family-owned and operated TTE currently employs about 160 people and "does zero DOE work," Eschenberg stated. "That's the opportunity we're faced with here."

Hagerty said Gov. Haslam, who visited Oak Ridge just last week, "sees tremendous potential here … (and) imagine also the potential it holds for the Oak Ridge Corridor.

"I am extremely optimist this will be a catalyst for more growth."

Hagerty also introduced his "team" at the meeting, including LeRoy Thompson, Victoria Hirschberg and Kendrick Curtis.

Thompson, a Knoxville native, is responsible for leading economic development efforts in the East Tennessee jobs base camp region — and serves as the primary point of contact for all issues related to job creation. He called himself the "stakeholder coordinator," and Monday's regional stakeholders' meeting.

Page 2 of 2 - "I will make sure the right arm knows what the left arm is doing," Thompson promised.

Hirschberg will be the "single point of contact" for recruitment of suppliers and other vendors, while Curtis will be the assistant in the same role.

Eschenberg reflected that the UPF project would "live and die by the supply chain."